Cinematograph spool case



J. E. THORNTON G INEMATOGRAPH S POOLCASE May 27, 1930.,

Filed Jan 26, 192'? 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVA'NTOR 02M 8 Y QQOwdM.

CINEMATOGRAPH SPOOLCASE Fiied Jan. 26, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 27 1930 nMTED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN EDWARD THORNTON, OF 'W'SEST HAMPSTEAD, LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR 'I'O JOHN OWDEN OBEIEN, OF MANCHESTER, ENGLAND l'SPOO'L CASE Application filed January 26, 1927.: Serial No. 163,806, and. in Great Hrltain February 20, 19%.

This invention relates to improvements in spoolcases for cinematograph film apparatus.

The object of the invention is to produce a spoolcase which may be inserted on to the usual spindles for driving the drum and spool of a cinematograph camera or projector whereby the film is permanently protected within the casing of the spoolcase and needs no threading through the camera or projector. The drum and spool are rotated by mechanism on the camera or projector such mechanism forming no part of the present inventionu The invention consists of a detachable spoolcase comprising in combination with casing of a framing mounted within the casing, a drum upon which the iihn is wound carried by the framing a hollow spindle passing th ough one side of the frarni upon which the drum is mounted, a spool arranged in line with the drum uponwhich the film is wound after exposure a second hol ow spindle pass tl ough t 1e side of the aining upon which too spool is mounted leader strip permanently aflined one end to the d the other end to the forward end on second leader strip pe anently t one eno to the spool and 1e other "ie rear end oil the film. toothed drum and a L 1. ese wheel, framing over which the film hich it is driven by gearing the framing within the easi1 f whereby the drum and spool are contin-iousiy driven and the Maltese eel intermittently rotated. two further hol w spindles YHOJ ed in the framing a sprocket wheel mounteo on each spindle to deliver the film to and 1 2011] exposure aperture in the casing idle rollers carried by the to retain the film in contact with the teed drum and apertures in the casing to give access, to the hollow spindles.

The invention will he described ret erence to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side View with the case in section for use horizontally and having the filmdrum placed at the front end of the spoolcase, extra sprockets being provided around dr u in which the film passes to and from the drum, the film-drum having an intermittent move ment and the sprockets a continuous movement.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section of same.

Fig. 2 is a diagram of the gearing.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of same.

Fig. 4; is a side View of the outside of the case.

In the preferred form of the invention the film feeding and measuring drum B is placed at the front of the spoolcase A adjacent to the aperture (5 with the supply-spool Q and receiving-reel D behind it. These drawings show the invention adapted for a tilrn or single width.

The spoolcase is constructed in two A A which fit over one another like a box and lid (see The film-drum is of small diameter and is driven intermittently by a Geneva or Maltese wheel 5 aifixed to or forming of the drum and a reflecting prism B is arranged inside the drum. Two small rollers having grooves e to clear the sprocket teeth of the drum B are provided to lreep iilni pressed close to the drum face in the correct local curve.

Above helow the drum B is fixed a pair of continuouslydriven sprocket with idle rolls f lreep in contact therewith.

Between t h e s e continuouslysproclrets and the drum the scribes loops or slack 7 The pull strain or load of the two spools C and is therefore taken by these two continuous sprocket-s, and the only load upon the film-drum is the total weight of the small amount of film between the two sprockets Between and above and below the two spools G and D are idle rolls a, d which guide the entering and emerging film into the right path to either spool or reel.

. A frame G is carried inside the case A which frame supports the drum B, the spools C and D, the spindle carrying the'pin wheel 5 which drives the Maltese or Geneva wheel 6 on the end of the drum, and a second spinwheel F. The pin wheel 6 is driven from the spindle B through a second pinion 6 thereon gearing with a pinion 6 on the pin wheel spindle. j

The spindle B and the spindle cores (3, D of the spools C and D are hollow so as to fit on to projecting spindles in the camera or projector and be driven thereby.

The leader-strips X by which the film is attached to the spool and reel may be of the ordinary type made of paper or film, but I prefer to use those of the unbreakable type, of very strong construction, for example a double thickness of linen tape or a double thickness of paper with a linen tape insertion, the three layers being cemented together,or a double thickness of strong parchmentized paper cemented together.

There are two such leader-strips of long length, one attached to each end of the film, one leader being attached by its other end to the spool and one to the reel. The efiect of this arrangement is to permanently connect spool and reel so that either one or the other can be used to give motion to the film-strip; the spool, reel, two leaders, and one film forming a singleponnected movable unit.

What I claim-as my invention and desire to protect by Letters Patent is A detachable spoolcase'for use in cinematograph film apparatus comprising in comblnation with a casing, of a framing mounted within the casing, a drum upon which the film is wound carried by the framing, a hollow spindle passing through one side of the framing upon which the drum is mounted, a spool arranged in line with the drum upon which the film'is wound after exposure, a

second hollow spindle passing through the side of the framing upon which thespool is mounted, a leader strip permanently afiixed at one end tothe drum and at the other end to the forward end of the film, a second leader strip permanently afiixed at one end to the spool and at the other end to the rear end of the film, a toothed sprocket feed drum and a can s rockets are continuously driven and the Bdaltese wheel intermittently rotated, idle rollers carried by the framing to retain the film in contact with the feed drum and apertures in the casing to give access to the hollow spindles.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN EDW'ARD-TH()RNTON.v

Within the casing by which the loop forming 

